:::: Merit Research Journals :::::::

The existence of low-cost, well-integrated and efficient rural markets is a key element in agricultural development and welfare economics. In Nigeria as well as other developing countries, many farmers are not linked to the market, they offer little of their produce for sale and this in turn leads to low income from farm activities. There are plethora of studies on food security, food marketing and other food related issues in Nigeria, however, adequate attention has not been given to crop farming households in relation to market participation. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the study and primary data was collected using interview guide. Three hundred and forty-two (342) questionnaire were retrieved and found useful for analysis out of four hundred (400) questionnaire administered. The analytical tools used were descriptive statistics and Net Market Index (NMI). The results showed that the average age of crop farmers in the study area was 50.9±16.8 years and the average farm size was 1.8±1.7 ha. Farming experience was 21.0±9.2 years, average household size was 7.0±2.7, distance to the nearest market was 7.7±9.1 and average farm income per month was N10, 631.62±2.3. The result of NMI showed that 57.89% of the crop farming households was net buyers of food in the zone. It was concluded that above half of the crop farming households were net buyers in various food market. Therefore, it is recommended that efforts of the government should be geared towards formulating policies to ensure adequate market linkage by farmers both at the local and national levels.

Keywords: Crop Farmers, Food Market, Market Participation, Net Market Index and Agricultural Zone